cyan_maid | Victory Road IC Inbox

[When Jane looks up from whatever she's been doing when Riz came in, it's with big eyes. Big, wide, very confused eyes.]

Wh...Riz, whatever for?

[He knots his fingers together, not knowing what else to do with them. There's too much nervous tension in them to just let them hang loose. He'd probably just end up fiddling with everything.]

I really like you, miss Jane. You've been kind to me, giving me a job and a place to stay and everything. And I think it's really cool what you are doing, with, uh, your gym and detective business and all.

But, uh-- Well, someone brought up a really good point that the stuff I do might reflect badly on your business. And I don't really think I can change what I do cause this is the shit Aguefort teaches us.

[And because Riz still believes it was all completely justified, and the things he found inside that Jenny station, or rather, the absence of things only strengthen him in that belief.]

I don't mind if I end up with a bad reputation. I'm a goblin! Nobody likes us. [He gives her a toothy grin that is probably mean to be reassuring but isn't quite.] But it ain't right for you to have a bad reputation on my account, so uh. I was thinking it'd be better if we split. Cause I know you've worked hard for your gym and everything and I don't wanna ruin that.

[Well, he does...he does have a point. It could certainly reflect poorly on the gym should anyone look further into it, that a member of the Aurora League was totally fine with employing someone who interrupted local law enforcement. She hadn't thought about it that way - only that it might impact Riz, not her.

It still feels cruel, even if true, to consider it.

Jane frowns, closes her eyes.]

Well, I can't deny there's truth to that, even if it hadn't occurred to me before. And...I suppose if you're truly well and set on going at it on your own, I can't stop you. [It's going to be so lonely. Again. And he had been there for her when she was really hurting.] But...I mean...I don't think this means we can't ever work together in the future.

[So long as he's covert about it - so long as he's not caught, and no one knows, then no one can get them in trouble, right?]

And frankly, that bit about nobody liking you is ridiculous. Whether you happen to be a goblin at the moment or not.

[She's not going to deny that he's a goblin in a human body right now, or is a goblin at home, but it...no. No, it's stupid to assume everyone would hate him for something he can't control.]

[Jane had been an unexpected comfort herself. When Riz has applied to the Fletcher Gym, he had really only been interested in a job, being the sort who couldn't sit still and do nothing. But with Jane around, there had also been the added benefit of having someone who could occasionally force some food or a drink in his hand. And without the rest of the bad kids or his mom around, Riz had absolutely needed that.]

I'd like that. I could be your man in the shadows. I'll share my intel with you and won't tell you where I got it from so you've got plausible deniability.

[Cause sometimes, the by the book cop has gotta call in the wild card.]

[Jane's grin is kind, but also mischievous, the kind that you share with someone you're happy to be in cahoots with, and she holds out a hand to Riz.]

It's a deal.

[Riz shakes her hand eager and enthusiastically.]

We could do a code! So nobody could intercept out messages.

[He's super excited to be in cahoots with someone. He had really enjoyed working with Jane. It's always nice to work with someone who has more experience in your chosen field. He'd just really hadn't wanted to affect her reputation.]

And, uh, I'll come visit. If-- I mean, if that's okay with you? I was kinda thinking of maybe travelling around to a few cities for a bit. See if I can read up on any old crimes Team Rocket did in those areas to get a better feel for things.

[And, you know, maybe break into one or two more police stations. As one does.]

Of course you can! There will always be a room for you here, should you need it. [And she means it, too - there's always a place for Riz in Homestuck House.]

Thanks.

If it wasn't for this [he just sort of gestures with his hand as if to indicate the whole situation.] I definitely would've kept working for you. It's been the first time I got to work with someone else on cases. It was fun. Back home, my friends help me, but they aren't really invested in the work like people like us are.

[They try and get him to, like, take breaks and stuff and sleep every night. Good friend behaviour, terrible for the amount of work Riz can do.]

[I mean, you can't keep doing your work if your body is in no shape to do so!]

Well, even so, don't be a stranger, alright? And make sure you're eating and sleeping regularly, or your sleuthing might be inhibited. Trust me, I know.

I'll, uh, try and stick to the minimum required hours.

[Which is four. And which he also probably won't do at all, because Riz is Riz.]

...I'll send you cookies if you do actually stick to those minimum hours of yours.

[Riz's eyes narrow as he is clearly at war. Cause, on the one hand, his work! Very important!

On the other hand... miss Jane bakes a killer cookie.]

That might be considered blackmail in some worlds...

It's definitely not blackmail! It's a reward - an incentive. Blackmail would be a much more negative thing, and frankly, I'm not about to stoop so low against a friend.

Sounds exactly like something a blackmailer would say.

[Riz is grinning as he says it though -- a goofy, toothy grin that makes him look much more like a kid than his regular serious business expression might.]

[And Jane is grinning a big toothy grin right back - one that fits quite well with her jovial nature.]

Nonsense! I solemnly swear to only use actual, real blackmail against actual, real ne'er-do-wells! If I even find any, since I do not actively go searching for it.

Uhuh. It just happens to occasionally mysteriously find its way into your possession, right?

[The classic rogue excuse.]

If it is there, then yes! But I assure you it is not.

[Look if it HAPPENS to be there and she HAPPENS to come across it then it's totally an accident]

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